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carpet mats in washing machine?

20K views 27 replies 16 participants last post by  chrisbostonusmc 
#1 ·
i just put in my rubber winter mats... just wondering if i can throw my black carpet mats in the washing machine\

was thinking to vaccum first and then wash them and dry them
 
#4 ·
I put my winter rubbers in. I vacuumed my summer mats, and then went over them with a carpet/rug cleaner. The wife happened to be cleaning the floors, so it was a little convenient for me. They came out perfectly and I let them air dry.
 
#5 ·
I put mine in the wash and then in the dryer on like air dry. then when the cycle was done I laid them flat overnight. Normally I wash them by hand with car wash soap, scrub with my tennis shoe (the ones with think traction) or brush, rinse with water, let air dry.

It's carpet it should be fine.
 
#28 ·
^^
Is that your interior in your sig?

and I cant begin to imagine what Dinan floor mats cost
 
#6 ·
Well....there's foam on the back. I guess it depends on the condition of the mat. I don't think I would do it but who knows.....sure would be an easy way to clean the mats. Just FYI, the dry cleaners do a great job on the rugs in my house. I bet they could do the floor mats.

Todd
 
#9 ·
there's no foam on the back, it's rubber. :hmm: it's just the same as you would wash your bathroom mats. Both have the same type of back, but floor mats are thicker. Why would anyone take them to the cleaners? :rofl:

@james2538 you probably had the dryer set on high heat. this is why you would use the Air dry setting.
 
#7 ·
A carpet shampooer would be the best bet. That's what it's made for.
Putting floor mats in a washing machine is probably going to damage one or the other...IMHO. Pick up the "Green Machine" by Bissel and you can also do the carpets in the car whenever you want to. It fires high pressure soapy water into the carpet, then vacuums it and the dirt out in the same pass.
Works great! You'll find friends you never knew you had too. Just don't let the wife, mother, or girl friend see you doing it or you'll be doing the house carpets too!
 
#14 ·
I wash my carpets once every month in my (agitator) washing machine. Twelve cycles later, and they still look new, foam backing is perfect. I use the gentle/intermittent agitation setting. I bought a set of OEM all weathers, but didn't like em much. After the washer, I throw them in the dryer.
 
#16 ·
Well....I'll say this....I AM going to try putting them in my front loader. I also have used the high pressure car wash spray....now that works great at getting the deep down stuff. Oh yeah.....I have OEM mats and they have foam on the back, not rubber.

Todd
 
#17 ·
Dang it, now you guys want to make me try it, you saw the pics, mine are nasty. Hold on, getting the mats...OK, they are in, top loading washing machine, put them on hot wash, 8 min delicate, even threw in my Downey ball. Will let you know how it turns out once I throw them in the dryer. Just floor mats, nothing like an experiment.:yikes: Mythbuster challenge??:rofl:
 
#18 ·
Well, update, my 04 coupe pads came out the washer, foam backing and all, nice and clean, smelling like Downey. In the drier right now on gentile. It works fine. Sad thing is with the snow and mud....will be back to what they looked like tomorrow. Have no fear, just some dang floor mats.
 
#22 ·
Update to update, 8 min delicate wash, low heat, just small amount of detergent, Downey if you like it like me. Take them out, place in drier, about 20 min, low heat, just a tad wet, but clean as hell.....then place them back in car, I call it freeze dry since about 10 degrees out here. Velcro...all good, foam on the back....all good. This myth is BUSTED!!!!! LOL..Thanks for the easy tip though, never thought of that until tonight. Better than taking the suckers out and washing them, then scrubbing them, and letting them sit in the sun. Also, since my sprinklers and hose are turned off so the pipes don't crack....easy, no work at all. Except popping open the beer.....:rofl:

Now, if you throw them in on heavy wash, high heat, throw in 2X soap, and place on large load.....then throw them in a drier on high heat, for an hour...guess you will mess them up. Actually, the velcro works better now.

Again, this is just my personal test...others, if you fear a washer...do not attempt the following stunt. :yikes: LOL
 
#21 ·
It was probably the normal cycle I put them on that did the mats in. :banghead:

Alright so I guess summing up everyones experiences...

It IS FINE to wash your carpet floor mats (felt backing) in a non-agitator washing machine or an agitator washing machine on gentle/delicate cycle. Air Dry on gentle/delicate.
 
#24 ·
:dave:

Instructions are as follow:

Step 1: remove floor mats

Step 2: bring in floor mats and throw in front of fridge to get beer of choice

Step 3: finish beer

Step 4: throw mats in washer

Step 5: obtain second beer

Step 6: obtain third beer

Step 7: dang washer buzzes that means throw items in drier on low heat.

Step 8: obtain fourth beer and wait for drier buzzer.....or buzz what ever comes first.

Step 9: Remove mats, reinstall in vehicle, caution on spilling beer on clean floor mats.

Step 10: obatain beer number 5 and pat yourself on the back for this difficult procedure.

Equipment cost:
(1) 6 pack (Warstiener Beer or others, added funds) 10 dollars

(1) small 1/4 cup of soap (25 cents)

(1) 1/4th cup of Downey fabric softener.....fabric ball is for the high modders.

(1) Set of fabric softener throw ins for the drier (5 cents)

Additional equipment (6th beer for the celebration)

If you fail to achieve the appropriate results.....start with second 6 pack in reserve, repeat above steps. If you do not achieve the desired results, just go to bed happy knowing you actually worked on a high tech precision German vehicle.....and got a good buzz at the same time..

Note: Above instructions are not advised for install of gauge pod, stereo equipment, or steering wheel air bag removal. If you have had an accident with shift knob removal.....obtain proper backup installer and skull protection equipment. :dave:

carcus
 
#27 ·
lol guys.. you're all silly... but i have dinan floor mats, they're rubber on the under side.... but anyway... they have white stiched dinan logo on them, which has turned dark gray... anyway to make it white again?

i was thinking getting some white fabric paint in the spring and painting the logo again
 
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